Every cloud...

Blackpool FanZoner Adam Ogden questions whether Holloway's exit could be good for the club.

Right time for Blackpool and Olly to part company?

I'm quite surprised that Sky Sports haven't sacked me yet.

For someone who is supposedly giving the background behind goings on at Bloomfield Road, my last two blogs have said the following.

1. "I can't see Ollie leaving."

2. "I'd expect Steve Thompson to get the job until the end of the season."

Wrong and wrong again.

What has actually happened is that Ian Holloway left at the weekend for Crystal Palace, and has been hastily replaced by former Pompey boss Michael Appleton.

It's been a whirlwind 72 hours and I don't think anybody expected a new manager to be installed quite so quickly. Personally I would have let Thommo have a few more games to see how successful he would be, and I'm not afraid to say that the announcement last night of Appleton didn't excite too much.

It felt somewhat cruel on the new gaffer, but after the bumbling enthusiasm of Ollie I'm not sure anybody would have been able to live up to expectations - and neither should they.

As time has passed, I've come more round to the fact that Holloway has gone.

Despite his record as manager - and it was an incredible record that should be remembered - some of Ollie's flaws have become more apparent after his departure.

The same energy as previous years had disappeared of late, along with the tactical nous that had been successful for three years.

ridiculed

This season's backup plan of taking off all our midfielders for strikers when losing was widely ridiculed and rarely successful. Giving the players three days off from training before the Derby game (and his departure) is unforgivable however.

Tuesday's match saw us take a step back in the right direction, with a steady performance and even more importantly a clean sheet.

That's something that's already been viewed by Appy as an area we need to strengthen. The defence - amazing! We've not heard of that being a priority for a long while.

While Ollie's attacking football was breathtaking to watch, it was beginning to get frustrating and predictable that we couldn't even defend a simple corner.

Hopefully that will now change and we'll become a more structured outfit, difficult to beat while still keeping our attacking flair.

Unlike three years ago, we don't need a miracle worker to get us. A bit of structure and confidence back in the team should be enough to see us into contention for a return to Premier League and hopefully Michael's Appleton will be the man to add those elements and reignite our promotion push.

And what a baptism of fire it will be for him. Any first game filling Ollie's boots would be difficult, but a huge local derby against a resurgent Bolton and the manager who started all the upheaval, Dougie Freedman, well that's something else.

It won't be one for the faint hearted, and Appy would make a perfect start with three points.